Is my photography getting better, or just my image processing?

I’m playing with images for selection for a panel I want to submit later this year.  One candidate needed a bit of rework taken of Holly (Ivory Flame) in 2009 below.  I’m amazed at how quickly I corrected some basic “flaws” on my original processing.  Blocked shadows, badly treated highlights, skin tone, and contours.  I take for granted how I process images to suit my taste, but obviously it’s an ongoing learning curve and if this image is an indicator I think I’m heading in the right direct…

The original version is below…

_NCW7841-Edit

My latest edit:

Lost in time
Lost in time

When I print both, the changes are much more noticeable than above.